ApproximatelyPi

I've been a bike commuter for the last six years or so. I've racked up about 13,000 miles on a Jamis Citizen, but so far I haven't been out for any long rides, or any recreational rides at all.

Well, I convinced my wife (who had done a minimal amount of cycling) that we should do the Seagull Century together. The Seagull is flat, and supposed to be a good one for beginners.

Anyway, my wife needs a bike, because all she has now is a comfort cruiser. The bike I've been looking at for her is the Raleigh Clubman. As for me, I recently bought a fixie conversion off of Craigslist (a steel Schwinn frame). I would like to buy a new bike for me, but I don't really think I can afford it now, so my plan is to do the century on my fixie. I recently bought Nitto classic drop bars for it, elkhide handlebar covers, and a Brooks B17 saddle.

Any thoughts on the Clubman or alternatives for my wife? Thoughts on me trying it on my fixie?

10 Wheels

It is all about the motor. 90% motor 10% bike.
Increase your mileage by 10% each week to reach 100 miles.
Any bike will do if the motor is strong.
How many mile could you ride tomorrow without passing out?

ApproximatelyPi

That's what I figured: as long as I train for it I should be fine. How many miles without passing out? That's a good question and kinda the whole point of wanting to do a century: for years I was doing a 30-mile round-trip commute on a regular basis with no problem (my commute is much shorter now) but I've never done more than 15 miles in a single shot. I could certainly do 20 or 30 no problem. 40 or 50, probably, if I stretched it over the day. More than that? Who knows?

The Octopus 

On the fixie: I finaly just built one up, my first. The project was 2 years in the works. Rode it 9 miles commuting on Friday and then took it out yesterday and today for 45-mile rides in the country. The plan is to ride TOSRV this weekend (2 centuries) on it.

With that limited fixie experience, but a lot of century experience, I'd say your fine to ride a century fixed, so long as you're comfortable on the bike and otherwise in shape to ride a century. Like others said, gradually increase your mileage and your long ride. In my experience, if you can ride 65 miles and still think it's fun, then you'll be ok on a century over similar terrain and under similar weather conditions. Good luck -- this fixie stuff is a blast!

StephenH

I would avoid trying the century on the fixie if you haven't ridden it much. It can be done, but I've read where people who rode fixed gear bikes a lot did a century and seemed to think that was about the limit for them, too. Hopefully, this event is a ways off, and you can go try some longer rides in the meantime.

On your wife's bike, you really need more input from her, not from us. You can do a century on a comfort cruiser if you're so inclined- whether she's up to it is a different matter. I was just looking at the Clubsman, and while it seems like a nice enough bike, I don't really see anything to recommend it over 100 other different bikes, either.

My first century was the Hotter-n-Hell 100. It is supposed to be a "flat" century. Well, it has 1,800' of climbing or so. As century rides in general go, that's pretty flat, but I think it was the hilliest ride I'd ever ridden up until that point. So take that "flat" with a grain of salt unless you know better. Also, you can have good winds that add a lot of challenge to a ride even if flat.

Also check out the courses if you can. On a lot of these routes, the main route is a long loop, and then taking any of several different shortcuts gives you the shorter routes. That means right up until the time you get to the turnoff, you can change your mind as to which distance you're doing. Generally, the ride organizers don't care. They'd rather have you switch to a shorter route than to have to haul you back in the SAG wagon.

icyclist 

One thing about a flat century, on or off a fixie - it means a lot of sit time. Be forewarned that after a while, it can become quite annoying/painful. The only way to prevent it is to put in a lot of time in the saddle. But then, overcoming the difficult aspects of a century is what makes completing one so satisfying.

zeBRAHz

my good friend and i will be doing the seagull century on fixed wheels. he's got a really obnoxious bike covered in rainbow electrical tape (a joke making fun of hipsters) and mine's all black.

look for us!

AdamLM

If you ride 30 miles a day, you will have no problems doing a century right now. I've never done a flat century, but as mentioned, I would have to agree that there will be a lot of sit time. But if you take your time, you shouldn't have much of a problem since I'm assuming your behind is well conditioned.

Have fun.
Adam

mickey85

You could just switch out the fixed cog for a freewheel...

mr.korea85

I'm wondering what you're ratio is. I'm rocking 48x16 on my fixed and I'm not the strongest cyclist so I couldn't imagine doing a century at that ratio.

The Octopus 

You'll see most riders doing centuries and longer on fixed will run hgih-60s/low-70s gear inches. I've used 49x18 (71.5) and 49x17 (75) for the long stuff. I find the flatter rides to be tougher fixed. With no variations in the terrain, you just get stuck in one position and one cadence, which can get uncomfortable.

mr.korea85

That makes a lot of sense I was thinking of going out and getting a 17 or 18t and slapping that on the reverse. But I'll need to go out and buy some tools as well.

zeBRAHz

i'm running 46x15

jab1362

I ran 48x18 on a century ride a couple of weeks ago.
I run SS instead of fixed for an easier ride.
I find it helps me conserve some energy for the last 20 miles.

Trakhak

I've run 48x18 and 51x19 (same ratio, pretty much) on track bikes on the road since my first track bike in 1965. Did a couple of 200 K rides recently with no problems.

Sixty Fiver

I run in the mid to high 60's for fixed centuries and don't find that distance on a fixed gear is really that problematic if you are in shape and are comfortable with your bike.

ApproximatelyPi

I started this thread a looooong time ago, but I like to plan things well in advance. My wife and I did the Sea Gull Century last weekend (Oct 9, 2010). She did it on a Novara Randonee and I was on my steel fixie conversion. My wife wasn't able to get as much training in as she would have liked (four kids and all) and ended up having to be SAGed at mile 85. I finished, and since I was free to go as fast as I wanted those last 15 miles I did them in about 45 minutes. My gearing was 42x17, which seemed about right. Even those last 15 miles at 20mph the cadence didn't feel too high. Next year: I think my wife wants to try the Sea Gull again, hoping to finish this time and I would like to try some rides with substantial climbs on the fixie. Wish me luck with that! (I'm thinking of the Civil War Century, but probably the 75 mile route rather than the 100.)

StephenH

Congratulations on the ride, and thanks for the update.

lhbernhardt

It's actually easier on a fixie for a number of reasons:
- the bike is lighter (no extra cogs, no front or rear derailleur or brifters)
- less chain drag (no pulleys to wind thru)
- the pedal automatically goes over TDC - there's no "dead spot" at the top of the pedal stroke

I've done up to 600 km brevets on a fixed gear (42x16, 44x16). You just need a comfortable saddle because you spend a lot of time on it.

Luis

robertkat

Completely agree. I've done several centuries, a few 200k and a 300k on my SS riding it fixed. I found it quite enjoyable. I actually find it climbs well. It's easy to carry a comfortable rhythm out of the saddle. Most of the randonneurs I know that bring out their SS/FG are using something in the 42-44/16-18 range gearing wise. Sounds like you have a good base milage so get out for some longer rides on the fixer and consider that a huge chunk of getting through your first century is the mental aspect.

echotraveler

i gotta tell all my fixed friends!!! some of them seemed very interested to join my century ride!! i thought it was possible, just not very practical. I still would like them to wear a helmet...